Collar molding machine



R. M. SCHULTZ COLLAR MOLDING MACHINE June 28, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 9, 1956 June 28, 1960 R. M. SCHULTZ COLLAR MOLDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 9, 1956 June 28, 1960 SCHULTZ 2,942,763

COLLAR MOLDING MACHINE Filed July 9, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 coLLAn MGLDING MACHINE Roy M. Schultz, Chicago, IlL, assignor to David A. Freeman Filed July 9, 1956, Ser. No. 596,583

13 Claims. (Cl. 223-'52.1)

This invention relates to a molding machine for collars and more particularly to a molding block for collars for mens shirts, pajamas and other garments.

As is well known, molding machines for collars have relatively movable molding blocks, some or all of which are heated to a suitable temperature for efiecting pressing of a collar during molding. In such machines, a pair of side molding blocks for engaging the sides of the collar neckband are adapted to be movable to and from each other along a straight line. A front block for cooperation with the inside of a front portion of the collar is provided, such block being movable or stationary, as desired. When the front block is movable, it is customarily movable along a line perpendicular to the line of travel of the two side blocks.

Opposite the front block there may be a rear block for operating on the rear portion of the collar. Such a rear block may carry a blade which extends in a direction to engage the inside surface of the rear of the collar. In order to press the entire extent of the rear portion of the inside of the collar, it is customary to provide blades on the side blocks which are movable to and from each other, said blades cooperating with each other and with the stationary blade if one is provided, to provide an extended surface upon which the stretched collar band may be shaped and pressed. An example of a collar molding machine utilizing side blocks, front block and rear block and the various blades is disclosed and claimed in the copending application of David A. Freeman, Serial No. 520,684, filed July 3, 1955, now Patent No. 2,829,809, issued April 8, 1958.

In collar molding machines, it is customary to tens-ion the garment collar being operated upon by spreading or retracting the side blocks, with or without movement of the front block. In the movement of the blocks away from each other to take up the slack of a collar and tension the same, it is essential that the collar material slide over the various blocks and be free to drape itself in accordance with the shape of the blocks so that a smooth uncreased collar will result. This invention provides a construction for the various blocks, to permit easy and uninterrupted slipping of the collar over the blocks while permitting the blocks to effect pressing of the collar after the collar has been tensioned. The new block construction may be used on any type of collar molding machine and the collar molding machine described and claimed in the application referred to above is merely an example of one type of machine with which the new blocks may be used.

In order that the invention maybe fully understood, it will now be explained in connection with the drawings wherein an exemplary embodiment is illustrated. It is understood that variations may be made' without departing from the scope of the invention except as defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a view of the top of a collar molding machine embodying the present invention with a shirt properly positioned for working thereon;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the molding machine below the shirt supporting panel;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the blocks of a collar forming machine in contracted position, the side blocks embody-,

ing the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the blocks illustrated in Fig. 3, the blocks, however, being expanded somewhat and the canopy plate being removed for clarity;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a side block embodying the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the block illustrated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail on line 7-7 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 shows a modification wherein the side blocks are provided with blades extending toward the front block;

Fig. 9 shows a further modification wherein the front block is provided with blades extending toward the side blocks; and

Fig. 10 shows a still further modification wherein all the blocks are provided with blades extending toward each other.

The machine upon which the molding blocks to be described are disposed may be any suitable molding machine, such as for example the one disclosed and claimed in the above identified application of David A. Freeman. The machine comprises base 1 having front and rear flanges 2 and 3. Mounted for longitudinal movement in base 1 is operating rod 4 actuated by lever 5 pivoted at 5 to front flange 2. Suitable power means, not shown, is adapted to move lever 5. Resting upon flanges 2 and 3 is work support panel 6 having cut-cut 7 in which the collar of a garment such as a shirt, for example, may be disposed- Panel 6 has channel 8 extending along the length of the panel at the center for accommodating the buttons of a garment. Pivoted form plate 9 is provided for use when folding the shirt.

The collar molding machine has side blocks 10 and 11 movable toward and away from each other generally along a straight line. Blocks 10 and 11 are disposed on suitable base blocks 12 and the base blocks or molding blocks or both are heated by suitable means such as electric heating elements or gas. It is understood that the blocks are heated to a temperature satisfactory for ironing the collar fabric.

Cooperating with the side molding blocks is front molding block 15. Front molding block 15 is disposed generally symmetrical with respect to side blocks 10 and 11. Front block 15 may either be stationary or may be movable toward and from the line of travel of the side blocks.

As is well known in collar molding machines, if the front block is movable, the entire complement of molding blocks moves simultaneously inwardly toward each other and outwardly away from each other respectively for positioning the work and for molding the collar.

Front molding block 15 rests on pedestal 16 and during use may be heated or not, depending upon whether the front molding block is to operate hot or cold. Front molding block 15 may have any desired shape.

Disposed opposite to front molding block 15 is rear block 29 having base 21. Rear block 29 carries at the top thereof canopy plate 22 of polished metal upon which the yoke of a garment may rest during the collar molding. Rear block 20 is provided with suitable heating means, not shown, so that the block is maintained at a satisfactory temperature for pressing or ironing the collar. Rigidly supported on base 21 of the block is stationary blade 26 extending upwardly from base 21 and in proximity to block 20. Stationary blade 26 is of polished extends upwardly from the base 21 to terminate just short or corresponding collar portion is tensioned. Side blocks 1t) and l'lrmay be made in. a wide variety of shapes and depending upon the type of collar being handled, the shape and size of the molded collar and other factors.

. Side blocks and 11 areusually of metal such as aluminum or stainless steel, and have. polishedfsurfaces for contacting the collar material. Considerationsofshape 7 and smoothness also .apply to. front block 15; p

In order to support blades 28 and 29 on the respective side; blocks-,f each such block hasnportionfi l cut out therefrom adjacent the inner rear portion of each block where-.the's'traigh-t portion 'ofthe rear of the collar 'continues. on to drapeitself around the side block. Blades 28andi29 each have mounting portions 36 bent gen'erally at right angles to the blades, said mounting portions lying I within cut:out;portions34 of each block; The blades are secured to '"the. block at mounting portion 36 by any suitable means, such as,'for example, machine screws or thelike.

Due to the construction of theiparts, mounting portion 36 is never contacted by the collar so that the means for attaching the blade's to the blocks need not -necessarily be flush with the blade material Generally; it is preferred: to haveeach blade extend generally tangentially from the block proper. Thus the opposed side blocks carry blades extending toward each other and tangentially generally from the. curved surfaces of the blocks with the mou ntingportionsof the blades being disposed in cut-outsor recesses within theblocks. Thus blades 28 by block 21a, all generally similar to the construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 inclusive. It is understood that blades 28:: and 29a may be omitted if desired.

Referring now to Figure 9 a further modification is illustrated wherein front block 42a has undercut portions 43 and 44 at the sides thereof for accommodating blades 45 and 46 respectively. Blades 45 and 46 extend toward side blocks 11b and 101) respectively. Blades 45 and 46 are adapted to engage the outer surface of the side blocks as illustrated in. the drawing. The-lengths of blades 45 and 46 may vary within wide limits and in general these blades are preferably of flexible metal. a V

In the constructions illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, blades 40, 41, 45 and 46: are sprungv so that these blades tend to bend inwardly against the block surfaces which they are shownas engaging. In modification illustrated Y in Figure 9, blades 45 and46 should be short enough so a and 29, each' of which is generally flat provide fiat planar extensions of the opposed curved surfaces ofthe block position also overlap each other. 7 Blades 28.rand 1 29.- may beidispo'sed' on opposite sides of stationary blade 26it desired. Thus as the side blocks move to and from each other, blades 28 and 29 will remain in proper relative position at all times. Blades 28 and 29 may be of, polished aluminum or chromium-plated steel and-will be heated from the respective side blocks as. Well as by contact with the stationary blade.

Referring now to Figure 8;. side blocks 10a and. 11a have portions 38 and 39 respectively undercut to accom? modate blades 40 and'f41. .Undercut portions 38v and 39 are so disposed. that blades 40 and. 41 extend towardfront block 42. Blades 40and;41 have mounting 'flange portions engaging undercut'porti'ons- 38 and 39- so that. these blades may be. mounted on side blocks. in a manner generally. resembling that ofbl'ad'e 28 in Figure 4. Blades 40 and 41 willbe of flexible polished metal such as brass,

, steel or aluminurnand maybe long enough so that blades and 41 will engage the surfaces of front block 42 when the various blocks are at or near their retracted positions. As a rule, when side blocks 10a and 11a are in the fully extended position, blades- 40 and 41- may be short of the sides'of the front block 421 Blades 40 and 41 shouldfnot be-solong that these blades engage each other in full; retracted position ofthe various blocks;

7 the form of the invention illustrated in Figure '8, blocks 10a and 11a are'provided' with blades 28a and 29a-whichcooperate withstationary blade 26a carried that in the fully retracted position, the free ends of these blades will not project beyond the side blocks. In the fully expanded position of the blocks, blades 45 and 46-may engage side'blocks- 11b and 10b asshown or may be-short of these blocks. The construction illustrated in Figure 9 also has blades 28b and 29b cooperating with stationary blades 26b; These latter blades may be omitted if desired.

Referring now' to Figure 10, a further modification is illustrated wherein theblade constructions of Figures 8 and 9 are combined. Thus as illustrated in Figure 10, side block and carry blades 40c and 41c1respec' tively, these blades being attached at undercuttings 38c and 390 as in Figure 8. Front block 420 has undercuttings43c and 44:; wherein blades 45:: and 46c respectively' arejsecured. Blades 41c and 45c overlap. The same is true of blades 40c and 46c. I I

' As in Figures 8 and 9, blades 40c and 410 should be short enough-so that in the'fully retracted position of'the blocks, the tee jends will not engage'undercut portions 440 and 43crespectively. I

Blades 45c and 46c shouldbe short enough so that the free ends thereof do not, in the retractedblock, position, extend beyond side blocks 10c and 11a. It is 'possible'to reverse the positions of blades 41:; and 45c so that'blade 45c is inside. In such case, the lengths of the two blades will have to be" so selected that blade 410 does not project beyondfront block 420 and blade 45c does not reach undercut 39s. The same reversal for blades 40c and 46c'is also possible.

7 Rear blades 28c and 29a cooperating with stationary blade 26c is also provided. These added blades maybe omitted if desired.

. I claim: a a a r n 1. In a collar moldingmachine', a front block and two side block-s movable toward and away from each other, said blocks'havin'g collar engageable molding surfaces of desired shape for molding a collar; at least one of said blocks carrying a blade'fori engaging the inner coll'ar'surface beyond the-molding surface of said' block, said blade extending toward an adjacent block, said blade having'a mounting portion bentatan anglet'o the blade proper, said mountingportion' being bent inwardly of the block upon which it iscarriedand away mm the'moldingsur face of the block, said block having anundercutportion for accommodating the :mountingportion; means for securing said'blade to said block the "mounting por' tion in the undercut portion so that, the undercut portion of the block and mounting portion of the bladear'ef'so related thatthebladeis disposed on the block andextends from'the bl'ocl generally tangentially of the block surface and provides a continuous planar extension of the molding surface ofthe block and? extends toward the adjacent block and so that said securing means is disposed remote from said collar cont'actihg andf'molding portion of said blade and saidiblock. a

' 21 The'const'ruction according to 'claim' l whereinthe mountingportion of tlieblade is attached to tlie undercut portion of the block by headed fastening means, the head part of the fastening means extending above the surface of the mounting portion.

3. In a collar molding machine, a pair of opposing side blocks movable toward and away from each other, each side block having a collar engageable molding surface of desired shape for molding a collar, said side blocks each carrying a blade and being disposed so that the blades extend toward each other to engage the portion of the collar upon which the machine operates and that extends between said blocks, each blade having a mounting portion bent at an angle to the blade proper, said mounting portions being bent inwardly of the blocks upon which they are carried and away fromthe molding surfaces of the blocks, said blocks each having an undercut portion for accommodating the mounting portion of a blade, means for securing said blades to said blocks, respectively, so that the undercut portion of each block and the mounting portion of the blade secured thereto are so related that the blade is disposed on the block and extends from the rear portion of the block generally tangentially of the molding surface thereof, provides a continuous planar extension of the molding surface of the block and extends toward the opposing side block, and so that said securing means is disposed remote from said collar contacting and molding portion of said blade and said block.

4. The construction according to claim 3 wherein the mounting portion of the blade is attached to the undercut portion of the block by headed fastening means, the head part of the fastening means extending above the surface of the mounting portion.

5. The construction as called for in claim 3 wherein there is provided a rear block, a stationary blade for said rear block, said stationary blade extending to be in proximity to the paths of movement of the blades carried by said blocks.

6. In a collar molding machine, a front collar engageable block and two side collar engageable blocks, said two side blocks being movable toward and away from each other, said blocks having molding surfaces of desired shape for molding a collar, each side block carrying a blade for engaging the portion of the collar extending beyond the molding surfaces of the side blocks, the blades of said side blocks being disposed so that they extend toward each other, each blade having a mounting portion bent at an angle to the blade proper, said mounting portion being bent inwardly of the block upon which it is carried and away from the molding surface of the block, said side blocks each having an undercut portion for accommodating the mounting portions, respectively, means for securing said blades to said side blocks with the undercut portions of the blocks and mounting portions of the blades so related that the outer surfaces of the blades extend from the rear portions of the blocks generally tangentially of the block surfaces toward the opposing side block, said securing means being disposed remote from said collar contacting and molding portions of said blades and said blocks, said front block having undercut portions facing the side blocks and having additional blades secured in said undercut portions, said additional blades extending toward the side blocks.

7. The construction according to claim 6 wherein each side block has an additional undercut portion carrying an additional blade, the additional blades on the side and front blocks forming overlapping pairs of blades.

8. In a collar molding machine, a pair of side blocks movable toward and away from each other, said side blocks each having a collar engageable molding surface of desired shape for molding a collar, a blade secured to each of said side blocks, respectively, for engaging the collar beyond the molding surface of the block, said blocks each having an undercut portion adapted to accommodate a mounting portion of the blade secured thereto, means to secure said blades to said blocks, respectively, each blade having the mounting portion disposed at an angle to the blade proper to fit into the undercut portion and be secured therein, said undercut portions being disposed at the rear portions of the blocks'facing the companion block so that when each of said blocks is provided with its blade, said blades extend toward each other and a blade disposed on a block extends from the curved portion of the block generally tangentially of the block surface and provides a continuous planar extension of the molding surface of the block and extends toward the opposing side blocks, said securing means being disposed remote from said collar contacting and molding portions of said blades and said blocks.

9. For use in a collar molding machine, two collar engageable side blocks movable toward and away from each other and provided with molding surfaces of desired shape for molding a collar, each such side block having an undercut portion at'the block portion facing the opposed block, a blade for mounting on each side block, respectively, for engaging a collar beyond the molding surface of the block, each blade consisting of a straight portion and of a mounting portion bent at an angle thereto, means to secure said blades to said blocks with said mounting portion secured to the block in said undercut portion, said mounting portion and blade portion being bent at such an angle that when said blade is secured to a block, the mounting portion extends inwardly away from the molding surface and the straight portion extends toward the companion blade on the opposite side block and provides a continuous planar extension of the rear portion of the molding surface of the block and extends generally tangentially of the block surface toward the opposing side block, said securing means being disposed remote from said collar contacting and molding portion of said blades and said blocks.

10. In a collar molding machine, the combination of a pair of collar engageable side blocks movable toward and away from each other along a generally straight line, a front collar engageable block symmetrically disposed with respect to said side blocks, said blocks having molding surfaces of desired shape for molding a collar, each side block having an undercut portion at the rear portion of the block facing the opposing side block, a blade for each block for engaging the collar beyond the molding surface of the block, each blade having a mounting portion bent at an angle to the blade proper, means for securing said mounting portions in the undercut portions of said blocks so that the mounting portions extend inwardly away from the molding surfaces and the blades extend toward each other and provide a continuous planar extension of the rear portions of the blocks and extend generally tangentially of the block surfaces toward the opposing side block, respectively, said securing means being disposed remote fromsaid collar contacting and molding portions of said blades and said blocks.

11. In a collar molding machine, a front collar engageable block and two side collar engageable blocks, said two side blocks being movable toward and away from each other along a generally straight line, the front block having a molding surface of desired shape for molding a collar, a pair of blades for engaging the portion of the collar extending beyond the molding surface of the front block, each of said blades having a mounting portion, said front block having undercut portions adapted to accommodate the mounting portions of the blades, each blade having its mounting portion bent at an angle to the blade proper inwardly away from the moulding surface of the block, means to secure said blades to said front block with said mounting portions in said undercut portions, said blades secured to said block arranged so that when said block, is provided with the blades, said blades extend toward the side blocks generally tangentially of the front block surface, said securing means being disposed remote from said collar contacting and molding portions of said blades and said front block.

. a 7 V 7 12 In a collar molding fnachine, the combination oi a pair of collar engageable side blocks movable toward andaway from eachother, "a front collar engageahle l Block symmetrically disposed with respect to "said side Blocks, said blocks Having molding Surfaces of desired shape for molding a collar, 'e'aeh side hlock having an undereutportion Eat the portion of the block extending Block, means fofs'ecimingsaid' inountin pcitions in the toward each other, each blade having a mounting portion undercut .portions of said side blocks so that the blades e'Xtend toward the front meek and generally t'an g'efitially of thejmolding surfaces of: the isideblc'icks, said securing means being disposed remote ffiroinisaid collar contacting and molding portions tofis'aie bnaes 'and'iis'aid blocks.

'13. 'In: 'a Collar moldiiig'fhia'hiiiega front 'c'olla'r en ga'geable block 'aridewe side collar 'engageable blocks,

said sideflilocks being movable {aware awayir'om i a each other, said blocks Having. tnmmag "surfaces of desired sli'ape for inolding'a' collar, each side block lint at an angle to the blade proper, saidpdi tio'n being bent inwardly of the block upon which it'i's carried and away from the molding 'surfa'ee ofthe' block, each side block having anu'ndereut portion for accommodating the mounting portion, means for securing said blades to said blocks with the undercut portions of the blocks and mounting portions of the blades so related that the outer surfaces of the blades extend from the portion oft-the blocks. generally tangentially of the block surfaces toward the opposing side blo'ck and said secuningsmeans disposed remote from said collar contact ingi andamoldin'g portions of said blades' and Saiiilblocks, each side block having an additional undercut port-ion gate-trout block and havingan additional-blade 7 seemed in said-undercut portion, said additional-Blade on:

ea c hsiileliloek extending towardjthe fiontf blockl 

